And here we are: marathon training block. I think this is my eighth block, third with a coach. Each time is a little different and I go into each with different goals and this one is no different but I think I may be.
For one, this is one of the biggest breaks between marathons other than the COVID years. I ended last year on a real low with everything including running and it took me a long time to feel motivated to try again. I am also older and, for once, am starting to recognize what that means in running and life. Perhaps it’s the perimenopause that I think I’m starting or just wisdom but it’s there and it’s changed some of my perspective.
For this block I am hopeful for a PR but that may not be a BQ. I’m coming to terms with that although am not quite ready to give it all up. But I’m trying to focus on keeping the love of running alive in me and the drive to get out there. That drive used to come with the hard work and how much I could improve but I may be at a place in my life where those improvements are behind me. And that’s life. And okay. So I need to find another reason to get out there and, in that vein, I need running to be a joy and not a chore.
Last year, at times, it felt like a chore and something I had to fight for and through. I don’t have that in me now and I don’t want that. I want going out to run to be easy even if I challenge myself on the run.
So far I’ve found 2026 to be like that. I haven’t had my best races, in fact some of my worst, but I’m enjoying the day-to-day and am still looking forward to seeing what I can do which is something.
I’ll have some race recaps (mostly my nearly dying) soon.
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